June 27, 2016

This week, we want to discuss sleep apnea in Orange Park. It’s a serious condition that affects the sleep of its sufferers in a big way. In fact, people dealing with sleep apnea can have their sleep interrupted hundreds of times in just one hour. Keep reading for our list of symptoms related to sleep apnea, and how we treat the condition to help you find the relief you seek.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Apnea is the temporary cessation of breathing, and sleep apnea occurs when breathing is interrupted many times throughout the night. The most common form of the condition is obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs when the tongue or other soft tissue in the mouth partially or completely blocks airflow during sleep. Other forms of the condition include central sleep apnea, when the brain doesn’t send the correct signals to the muscles controlling breath, and complex sleep apnea syndrome, a mixture of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.

What Are Sleep Apnea Symptoms?

Because they are similar to other conditions affecting sleep — like depression or anxiety — the symptoms of sleep apnea often go ignored. In fact, it’s estimated that 80 to 90 percent of obstructive sleep apnea cases go undiagnosed. Dr. Nawrocki’s office is passionate about our role in providing important patient education, and we want to help you recognize the signs you may be suffering from sleep apnea.

Symptoms of the condition include:

Loud, chronic snoring

Daytime sleepiness

Frequent waking throughout the night with a gasp or choking sound (often noticed by a partner)

Confusion, irritability, and other symptoms related to poor sleep

If you suspect you or a loved one are dealing with sleep apnea, don’t wait to seek a diagnosis and treatment. Left ignored, sleep apnea has been linked to heart attack, high blood pressure, and even premature death.

What Are Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea?

You’ve got options when it comes to how your sleep apnea will be treated, and your dentist in Orange Park is the professional providing sleep apnea therapy in our community. The most common treatment is a continuous positive airway pressure machine, or the CPAP. This method works by forcing air through the mouth to keep the airway open throughout the night. Good for cases ranging from mild to severe, the CPAP has helped numerous sleep apnea sufferers find the uninterrupted sleep they seek.

Patients for whom CPAP treatment is not successful may find relief from their sleep apnea symptoms with a removable oral device. This small mouthpiece works by holding the jaw and tongue in place, preventing their collapse for smooth, continuous breathing throughout the night.

Find Relief for Sleep Apnea This Month

We hope this information was helpful. If you believe you or a loved one are dealing with the symptoms of sleep apnea, don’t wait to seek effective treatment from your dentist near Jacksonville FL, Dr. Nawrocki. Request your appointment today! You can also call us at 904-602-8396.

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